Saturday, August 14, 2010

What phrases drive you crazy at work?

I'm working on a project (more on that later) and I need to compile a list of all the terms you hate to hear in the workplace.

You know, things like:1. Man hoursThis is my all-time most-hated phrase ever! Sometimes I pipe up in a meeting and say, "Is everybody working on this project a man?"

People love that.

Why can't we just say "staff hours" and make everyone happy?

By everyone, I mean me. 2. BodiesAs in, "We need more bodies on this project." This term gives no respect to the people who will be working on the project. I mean, if all you need is bodies I'm sure there are plenty of unclaimed ones at the morgue.

What we need are engineers, we need soldiers, we need help, we need more resources.

We don't really need more bodies.

3. Please tell me what you would put here. What are the phrases you hate to hear in the workplace? And what do you wish people would say instead?

You're also welcome to disagree with me about my pet peeve words. Leave a comment.

I really dislike the term 'thought-leadership'. I don't know why, it just seems that everyone uses it, so its not really a 'leading' thing is it?

I also kinda hate being bcc'd. How many times have I nearly replied all because I didn't realize I was bcc'd? If you are blind copied, you shouldn't be able to reply. It's just weird and makes me feel like I'm spying!

1) pipeline - simply because of the imagery2) value add - just too business speak-y... "is this a value-add?"... so many better ways to say this!!!!3) a quick question - because it never is, and why can't it be just a "question"?4) "lining my ducks in a row", "crossing my t's and dotting the i's" - these are not so much pet peeves, but for some reason it bothers me when a person relies heavily on such phrases rather than saying exactly what they are doing.

I say "person hours," and, maybe I'm kidding myself, but I *think* it may be catching on at my office. I also say "person power." Maybe it sounds awkward, but at least I don't have to hear myself say "man power," and maybe, each time I say it, it makes "person power" sound a *little* more awkward to others when they hear it. And my *favorite* phrase to hear or say at work? "I'll be responsible for that." Love, AJ

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Why is this blog called "The Downtown Diner"? If blogs were restaurants, mine would be a downtown diner. The food isn't haute cuisine and it's not even necessarily all that nutritious. Basically I'm the grilled cheese sandwich of blogosphere. But the waitress here knows your name and she's always glad to see you. Stop by whenever you're in the neighborhood and need a smile.